Tharp's MOVIN' OUT 'Moves In' To The Benedum Center 2/27

MOVIN' OUT, the Tony Award-winning new musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 classic songs by Billy Joel, is movin' in to Pittsburgh's Benedum Center on Friday, February 27, through Sunday, March 1, 2009. Tickets ($24-$62) will go on sale on Friday, January 16, 2009, at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at pgharts.org and by calling 412-456-6666. MOVIN' OUT is a special presentation of the PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

This engagement of MOVIN' OUT will mark the triumphant return of the show that critics say revolutionized musical theatre as we know it. "This is why we need the Broadway series!" exclaims Christopher Rawson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "MOVIN' OUT sends the audience away happy." Adds William Loeffler of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "'MOVIN' OUT,' choreographer Twyla Tharp's tribute to the baby boomer generation, gave [the] crowd at the Benedum Center such a rush that you could almost get a contact high just by breathing the air." And The New York Times called the show, "Terrific! Even better the second time around."

Told through the choreography of Twyla Tharp and more than two dozen of Billy Joel's hit songs, MOVIN' OUT is the story of lifelong friends through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them forever. Songs like "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "We Didn't Start the Fire," and "Pressure" all come together to weave a musical backdrop which beautifully complements Tharp's innovative choreography. The songs and dance take audiences through a poignant narrative comprised of three main elements: post-World War II idealism, the Vietnam War and its subsequent unrest, and finally, survival.

Many will recognize MOVIN OUT's main characters, as they come straight from Joel's lyrics. There's Brenda and Eddie from "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," Tony and Sergeant O'Leary from "Movin' Out," Judy from "Why, Judy, Why," and James from "James"-and their story is told completely through dance, with no dialogue whatsoever. MOVIN' OUT is "a story told without language," Tharp says. "The movement and the action tell the story-the experience, the emotional resonance, comes from action rather than language."

The Broadway production of MOVIN' OUT played for over three years, closing on December 11, 2005, after 28 previews and 1,303 regular performances. It joined the pantheon of great Broadway dance musicals when it surpassed the runs of Contact, Fosse and Bring in ‘Da Noise/Bring in ‘Da Funk. MOVIN' OUT received two 2003 Tony Awards - one for Ms. Tharp (Best Choreography) and one for Mr. Joel (Best Orchestrations).
MOVIN' OUT features a scenic design by Kelly Tighe, costume design by Suzy Benzinger, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Duncan Robert Edwards. Musical Supervision is by Rob Cookman.
Tickets to MOVIN' OUT are $24-$62 and are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, by calling 412-456-6666 and online at pgharts.org. To purchase 10 or more tickets, please call 412-471-6930.

 

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